OFM Feature - Pandemic - Tourism - FINAL_Pages 5 / 26 / 20 4 : 01 PM Page 3 VISITORS WELCOME Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World or just about everyone who walks through the gates at Walt Disney World’s Magic King - to do it in a way that’s safe , not only because that’s dom — whether 5 years old or 50 , a first - time As for the water park , every guest and team mem - the right thing to visitor or an annual pass holder — there is some - ber must have a temperature check , there is 6 - foot do , but that’s also what the cus - thing special about turning the corner on Main distancing in lines and all employees are required to tomers want to see . They want to feel safe when F Street U.S.A . and approaching Cinderella’s Castle . wear masks and gloves . “ I can go on and on , ” Falcone they’re going to these places . ” For more than two months , however , the bustling says . “ We have about 25 pages of documents on new It did not take long for the responses to come in . corridor has been empty and nobody has been able changes and new processes that are coming because Although Disney World had yet to announce a re - to make the journey , as the COVID - 19 crisis has of this situation . We’re taking a ton of precaution opening date as of press time — it was rumored to be forced the longest shutdown of Disney and I feel we’re going above and beyond to enhance eyeing late June as a possibility as it continued to since it first our procedures and take them to another level . ” monitor the progress of Shanghai Disneyland — Uni - opened its doors in Orlando more than 50 years ago . Four Seasons , which had yet to announce a re - versal looked to set a precedent . With the approval of Tourism — which is so critical to Central Florida’s opening date as of press time , has made several updates Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and DeSantis , economy — has taken a serious hit during the quar - to its sanitation practices and recently collaborated it unveiled plans to reopen Universal Studios , Islands antine , but there is finally hope on the horizon . Florida with Johns Hopkins on a global health and safety of Adventure and Volcano Bay on June 5 . SeaWorld has been one of the country’s most aggressive states program called “ Lead With Care . ” had also submitted a proposal and is likely to be wel - in reopening its economy , and attractions throughout coming guests in the coming weeks as well . the region are either welcoming guests again already “ Training programs are currently being finalized Other attractions that opened in late May or or are poised to do so in the near future . for each department within the resort , ” Berry says . had reopening dates set for A nation of people determined to smile and enjoy “ Many [ members ] of our food and beverage team early June included time with family and friends will surely be looking to [ have ] already undergone extensive training as Plancha FunSpot , Island H2O Live ! , Legoland , Gatorland theme parks , resorts and other recreational activities Restaurant at Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club is and ICON Park . to heal from this pandemic , and Orlando is ready to open and serving guests . We are eager to welcome our “ We want to invite guests back to our theme answer the call . team back to work , and we feel they are also eager to parks in a cautious and thoughtful way , ” Tom return , and have a sense of security knowing that Four Williams , Universal’s chairman and CEO , said in a “ I feel after the stay - at - home orders , a majority Seasons is committed to their health and safety . ” press release . “ We have put new health and safety of people are tired of being cooped up and they are Old Town never officially closed during the shut - procedures in place for both our team members and ready for a vacation , ” says Dana Berry , director of down because six of its restaurants continued to offer guests . And we have worked hard to make sure our public relations at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at takeout and delivery , according to Thearon Scurlock , guests can enjoy time with family and friends . Doing Walt Disney World . “ Orlando , as the nation’s No . vice president and general manager . But since those this the right way will take all of us — and we need ev - 1 most visited destination , should recover relatively eateries were allowed to provide on - premises service eryone’s help . Guests should follow our guidelines quickly . People love Orlando , as this destination again in early May — first at 25 percent capacity and and continue to follow the recommendations of the has so much to offer . Now more than ever , people now at 50 percent — and Old Town’s retail CDC and health officials . ” are ready to have a fun time relaxing and reveling stores in the sunshine . ” were also allowed to open at limited capacity , a stricter In the week leading up to Memorial Day week - sanitation program has started . Every other sink in ENJOYING ATTRACTIONS IN A end , Gov . Ron DeSantis and Vice President Mike the restrooms , as well as every other urinal in men’s RESPONSIBLE MANNER Pence held a roundtable discussion with local lead - rooms and every other stall in women’s rooms , has Universal’s new procedures , similar to other parks in ers from the hospitality and tourism industry at been closed ; all of the complex’s water fountains have the area , include the requirement of masks or other Rosen Shingle Creek Orlando . Pence took the op - been shut down since they are not touchless ; there face coverings for all employees and guests ; tempera - portunity to show the White House’s appreciation are hand sanitizing stations throughout the property ; ture checks at the gates , with those at 100.4 or greater for their efforts throughout the pandemic . “ [ The doors to shops are remaining open for easy , no - contact denied entrance ; reduced daily attendance ; reduced m decision ] that you made to put the health of your entry ; and more outdoor seating for restaurants has capacity on rides and at shows ; increased disinfection ck.co employees , to put the health of people who come been added . of ride vehicles , food locations , restrooms and other ersto from all frequent touch points ; and social distancing through - over the world to visit this great city and “ We’re also closing earlier — our limited hours hutt out the park . these incredible attractions , was commendable , and are 12 to 9 — so our restrooms can be completely ira / S I know it was unprecedented . Your willingness to washed down and sanitized before we reopen the Nick Falcone , managing principal of NDM Kam adhere to federal guidance and make those choices , next day , ” Scurlock says . “ We’ve added housekeep - Hospitality — which owns Island H2O Live ! and is by h I think represented the very best of what makes ing staff for that as well . There isn’t a huge amount involved in the operation of Margaritaville Resort ograp American business special . ” of touch points since we’re outdoors , but we’re Orlando — says his company has also enacted an en - phot wiping down trash tirely new set of guidelines . The hotel and cottages cans and handrails a lot more DeSantis praised Floridians for their positive ture at Margaritaville reopened in mid - May with glass since we’ve reopened . ” handling of his phased reopening of the economy , dven barriers at the check - in counters ; no hand - to - hand including restaurants and retail stores at limited ca - Despite those measures , Scurlock adds that Old A of s contact between guests and employees ; options on pacity at the start . He encouraged theme park owners Town will not be able to resume its regular event land housekeeping ; and limits on the size of groups that to submit their proposals for resuming operations , schedule right away . Concerts and karaoke nights Is ios can be together at one time . Sunset Walk , its enter - first to be approved by their county mayors and may not be back until the fall , but there is hope that Stud tainment and retail center , was following govern - then by the state . “ I think that’s the spirit that we car shows can return this summer . rsal mental regulations such as see in Florida and throughout America ; people want - “ The state is still asking that people don’t con - reduced capacity at stores Unive ing to get back to business , but obviously wanting gregate in groups larger than 10 and we’re trying to and restaurants with outside seating . 2 4 | O R L A N D O F A M I L Y | J U N E 2 0 2 0 | O R L A N D O F A M I L Y M A G A Z I N E . C O M